As my infant approached his first birthday, I was anticipating 2 events: his first birthday and transitioning him to a forward facing car seat. So the update by the American Academy of Pediatrics this past April caught my attention.  The AAP recommends that a child remain back facing in their car seat until age two. Bummer! Read the rest of this entry »

Back to season is synonymous with doctor’s visits, sports physicals and immunization updates.

I don’t know of any kid that looks forward to getting immunization shots.  The process is a necessary evil. A necessary evil that saves lives.

For the record, I believe in getting kids immunized. I have watched the measles and pertusis (whooping cough) renaissance that came up as a result of parents opting out of vaccinations for their kids. Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t be deceived by the headliner, I know nothing of potty training. Some smart person decided to have June be the “Potty Training Awareness Month” so I decided to share my potty training pain.

My preschooler was making strides with potty training, he would come to me and say something like “I need to potty” or “I need to do number 1”. #1 and #2 were our secret service equivalent code for pee and poop. Things went south soon after a new baby appeared in the mix. Read the rest of this entry »

Your first or second grader is having difficulty putting words together while trying to read. He or she is otherwise performing at age and grade level in other function like dressing, toileting and self-feeding.

There might already be talks of having your child in special Ed. Read the rest of this entry »

I am just relieved to have made it through last week.

Two sick, irritable and clingy kids in each arm does not make for a fun way to spend your day. Thankfully, they are well now but it got me thinking, I had not gotten around to having a “disaster plan” in terms of how to handle the inevitable occurrences of kids falling ill. Murphy’s Law is a constant: Things will go wrong at the worst possible time.

So here are a few things I would be putting in place to make sure life flows better the next time the thermometer dials up to 103.
Read the rest of this entry »

Breakfast? What did your child have it today?

I recently read that up to 40% ( including kids) do not eat breakfast. Please don’t be a part of that statistic! It’s truly the worse way to begin your day. After a peaceful night of sleep, where the body was able to do some restoring and detoxifying, breakfast provides energy and nourishment that allow you to be alert, focused, productive and creative.  Breakfast will also set the tone of how your mood will be for the day. Everyone wants to feel good…actually great and what better ( and simple) way to achieve this than to eat breakfast.

My tip: Start blending away, and make your child a fruit smoothie. You can add a lot to that smoothie ( think protein powder, flax seeds, maybe a nut butter) and its simple, fast and nutritious Read the rest of this entry »

There are few things worse than finding out your child has been molested. The pain is unimaginable! If you happen to be in this predicament, I empathize with you.

If you worry about protecting your precious little ones from the pedophiles out there, read on.
Read the rest of this entry »

Most moms worry about giving birth to a healthy baby while pregnant. Not me, I went through those nine months without a care in the world but earned my worry stripes at delivery. Thankfully my son did well enough to go home with me after a short stint in the neonatal intensive care unit.

I remember watching him as he grew and worried constantly if he might be autistic. Read the rest of this entry »

I love the digestive system. Really do. It works so hard for us by transforming the foods we eat into nutrients that fuel our bodies to function, hopefully optimally, every day. Every time I give a health talk, the digestive system is where I begin. If foods are not digesting well then how can one function well? Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t get my son to eat Mac and cheese much less of getting him to try broccoli. Most three year olds absolutely love Mac and cheese but not this one! He is content with eating graham crackers and cheerios all day.

I have found out that I am not alone. Read the rest of this entry »